CONFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE
DONOVAN SISTERS, BOOK 1
Jennifer Haymore
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
August 1, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0446573146
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Requested from Publisher
Jennifer Haymore Website
TWICE TEMPTED
Serena Donovan left London six years ago, her heart broken and her reputation ruined by devilishly handsome Jonathan Dane. Now, with her family's future in peril, she reluctantly agrees to return to England and assume her late twin's identity. The price? Marry a man she doesn't love and spend the rest of her days living a lie.
Jonathan Dane, Earl of Stratford, has become an incorrigible rake, drinking, gambling-and trying to forget Serena Donovan. Yet the moment he's introduced to the prim and proper "Meg", he recognizes the sensual young woman who captured his heart. Haunted by his past mistakes, he refuses to lose Serena again. But convincing her to trust him is no easy task. Claiming his lost love means exposing the truth and destroying the life Serena has sacrificed everything to rebuild. With the future of all the Donovan’s at stake, and their undying passion capable of triggering yet another scandal, how much will Jonathan and Serena risk for a chance at true love?
Serena Donovan lands in London with her 19 year-old sister, Phoebe, in tow. Her mission, should she succeed: Convince the Town she is her twin sister “Meg”, marry the fine and upstanding Captain William Langley, and find a good match for her sister. HA - Easier said than done! Especially when Jonathan Dane enters the picture. (Which he does quite frequently and so eloquently; appearing just at the right moment between Serena/Meg and William.) She despises the lies and deceit that make up her life. Yet, she continually asks herself, “What would Meg do?” As it gets closer to the wedding day, Serena/Meg realizes she still loves Jonathan, and the passion they shared has never died. Now, Serena/Meg has to make the tough choices – for her sisters - and she doesn’t want to hurt William.
The secondary romance of Phoebe and Sebastian is predictable and falls short. Yet, it does lead to one of the tenderest moments between Jonathan and Serena/Meg.
I usually avoid twin-switching identity stories because I find the idea preposterous. Anyone who knows a twin intimately (not necessarily sexually) will know the person is a fraud. However, with CONFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE, there were a few things that made the story a bit plausible.
---Serena was absent from England for six years (during her years between 18 and 24).
---She was cajoled into portraying Meg for the good of the family. After all, her sisters needed to be well situated.
---Jonathan knew immediately, with his heart, body, and soul, upon seeing “Meg” that it was Serena. Even though he kept telling himself it was Meg.
The positive feature of this novel is Jonathan. He is a grand example of a hero redeemed. He loves Serena so vehemently that he will do anything and everything in his power not to lose her, or hurt her or her family again; but to eventually possess her as his own. Yes, he has a reputation as a rakehell of the highest order for the past six years, but all is not as it seems. When his one true love, Serena died, Jonathan died, and there was no reason left for him to continue. He drowned himself in every vice he could find trying to dull the pain. Until he realized - the pain would never go away.
Ultimately, I did not like the way this book ended. I view it as a HFN. However, I am certain fans and followers of Ms. Haymore will delight in the romance of Serena/Meg and Jonathan, as I did.
Giveaway: Thank you to Grand Central Publishing/Forever for this awesome Giveaway.
Giveaway guidelines:
-Giveaway begins August 12, 2011, and ends at midnight on August 15, 2011.
-Two copies will be given away: One to a U.S. resident and one to a Canadian resident.
-Only residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible to win.
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